How Children Can Help Heal America

Having worked with children for many years, I can verify that young children do not notice or care about skin color, religion, cultural differences or disabilities. They are naturally humble, curious, and full of love. Young children forgive easily, usually find the good in all, and just want to have fun. Here are some characteristics that children naturally know:

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM CHILDREN:

* Humans are more alike than different.

* Friends listen and help each other.

* It's easy to forgive and "let it go."

* There is joy in the journey.

* If I am a friend to others, I'll have friends.
   

CHILDREN POSSES THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES:

C - CURIOSITY about the world around them - including different CULTURES. COURAGE brings rewards. CREATIVITY brings happiness.

H - HUMBLENESS. HUGS can HELP. 

I - INNOCENCE. INTEREST in everything. 

L - LOVE. LISTEN, LEARN. LAUGH.

D - DREAM. DO it. 

R - RESPECT others. READ. RIGHT will triumph. 

E - ESCAPE from technology - take a break and play outside. EXPLORE. EXPERIMENT. EXPERIENCE. EXPRESS yourself - kindly. 

N - NATURE - Enjoy the natural beauty in our world. NURTURE your relationships. NEVER give up.

Young children are nonjudgmental. We adults know that attitudes are learned - not inherited. My daughter, who has special needs, and I enjoy many of the same books. I was reading her book, 125 True Stories of Amazing Animals, when I noticed the photo below. If animals can rescue and even raise another species, then can't we have empathy and compassion for our own kind?

We are different but love the same.

I like this quote: "What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Let our faith replace our fears." Gordon B. Hinkley: Cultivate a Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism.

Related Topics:

• ARK - Acts of Random Kindness: Free Printables for Kids & Adults
• Stop Bullying - It Starts at Home
• Back to the Basics - Play Outside
  

We can find balance and joy in life.

"If we love, forgive and pray, we can work together." 

Dr. Alveda King (niece of Martin Luther King)

Looking for more ideas on how to teach and raise children? See Kindergarten: Tattle-Tales, Tools, Tactics, Triumphs and Tasty Treats for Teachers and Parents and to prepare your child for kindergarten: The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn. Both are bestsellers. The ebooks are only $3.99.

Stop Spanking! Prevention Solutions

Once again, I witnessed a parent yelling at their child at the store - then their anger escalating to a child being spanked. Believe me, spanking does not work. It may temporarily stop a child's behavior - but it leaves emotional scars, humiliation and anger.

The Pediatrics journal published a study that showed children who are spanked by their parents are at greater risk for later problems in both behavior and vocabulary. The Journal of Family Psychology published findings after 50 years of research was analyzed: "A new study on spanking, considered the most complete analysis to date on the topic, finds the more children are spanked, the more likely they are to defy their parents, exhibit anti-social behaviors and experience mental health and cognitive problems."



When adults spank children to get them to mind, too much has already gone wrong and the discipline has broken down. We know a big person should not hit a smaller person. Adults must set the example for good behavior. Therefore, you do not spit when you want a child to stop spitting, you do not yell when you want a child to stop yelling, and you do not hit when you want a child to stop hitting. Emotional scarring may result when a child is mistreated by an adult, whether verbally or physically.

Why Winning - and Losing - is So Important for Children

 
"Why does that kid have a blue ribbon? Mine's yellow. I want blue!"

"But you got a ribbon! You did great!" I answered.

"What's my ribbon for?"

"It's because you participated in a sport."

"Did I win?"

"No dear. But you participated."

"What's par-siss-y-tate?"

Of course, parents and teachers don't want any child to feel left out. And perhaps it is fine for all preschoolers and even kindergartners to get a ribbon or a trophy for participating. But what can children learn from losing - and from winning?

How to De-Stress Young Children while Traveling

Cooper muttered the words that frustrates every mother, "I'm bored." 

Megan sighed. She and her husband had saved for months for this special trip to unwind and build family bonds. She had packed lots of things for the children to do in the car.

Cooper hit his brother and they both started the high-pitched screaming that made Megan's skin hurt. She rolled her eyes at her husband when he gave her an exasperated look.

Megan wondered what she could do so her children would relax and enjoy their family vacation.

Megan's dilemma is not unusual. Children crave consistency, stability and routine. How can you help your children cope with the hustle and bustle of traveling? Here are some tips:

Simple Comprehension Questions for Early Readers

photo from HANDS ON as We Grow

I was filled with joy as my four-year-old grandson read a book to me. His proud mother said, "It's impressive - but I wonder if he understands what he's reading." We both looked at each other and decided we needed to find out.

I searched on-line for Comprehensive Reading Questions - and was overwhelmed with the amount of questions you can ask a young reader. Reading needs to be a fun bonding experience - so I suggest the KISS approach:

5 Tips: Teaching Children to Read Naturally

Please don't be stressed that your preschooler isn't reading! Of course, it is wonderful to share books with your child and for them to see you reading. Your enthusiasm for books is contagious and extremely helpful for children to develop a curiosity and love of books. But they may not be ready to focus on the letters, or be interested in flashcards, or expensive phonics' programs. Let them be children, learning with their five senses and movement, and they will learn naturally with some easy inexpensive involvement and encouragement. 

When my grandson went grocery shopping with his mom, he pointed and yelled, "K-R-O-G-E-R. That spells grocery store!" He didn't know the name of the store, but knew those letters symbolized groceries. Be excited when children notice and recognize letters and words. 

5 TIPS TO ENCOURAGE A LOVE OF READING: 

Rip Up Recess Rules and Reap the Benefits

No recess rules?! Does this sound astonishing to you? A school in New Zealand has ripped up the recess rules and now has a drop in bullying, serious injuries, and vandalism while creativity and learning are increasing - and behavior problems disappearing. Could this happen in the United States? You simply must watch this video where students are climbing trees, riding skateboards, playing bullrush (a tag and tackle game), playing with sticks, and having mudslides! Just click on Bullrush Returns to Schools to view, but I hope you will come back here to read my section: The Benefits of Relaxing Recess Rules.



How did this happen that school recess rules were done away with completely? Swanson Primary School was one of eight schools that decided to participate in a study by Aucland University of Technology (AUT) and Otago University. The aim of the two year study was to encourage active play. But Swanson Primary decided to do away with the rules entirely, as the principal and some teachers were inspired remembering their childhood free play. 

Outdoor Play: Games & Benefits with 100+ Kid Bloggers' Hop

Groovy Soaker Water Balloons fit easily under a spout for filling.

Learning to play outdoor games uses creativity, imagination, cooperation, and brain power by making up new games and participating in sports and games that have been around for decades. Playing outside games can teach a child social skills while releasing stress and forming friendships. Young children learn by using their five senses and movement. So much more can be experienced through the senses when outdoors while expanding a child's imagination. Even short periods in the natural world improve a child's mood and appreciation for our earth.
 

Top 10 Ways to Keep Kids Creative

All of us have an innate desire to be creative. Children learn through play, discovery and exploration. They want to naturally extend learning activities, manipulate and create. But through time, discouragement, lack of opportunity and too much screen time, we lose our drive to be creative and lack the confidence and focus. How often do you think, or hear someone say, "Kids can't think for themselves anymore." Let's provide amble opportunities for children to think, explore, extend and create. Here's why and how:

Teach Kids to Tie Bows and Make a Beautiful Wreath

Are you trying to teach a child to tie their shoes? Here is a fun way for children to practiced tying bows while making a wreath from material scraps. Children will feel a sense of accomplishment as they tie long strands of material around a wreath circle. Or you can make a wire circle using a coat hanger. My grandson Brody made a wreath using wire that held a bail of straw together to make an upcycled gift that cost nothing - and helped him learn to tie bows. What a great gift to a mom or teacher - learning how to tie shoes!

Planting Seeds of Science: Gardening with Kids

"This roly poly is tiggling me."

Gardening provides magical opportunities for children to learn through hands-on science as they explore the outdoors and watch a seed grow into food. They can learn about the life cycles of seeds and critters, how to respect our environment, the seasons, weather and much more.

5 Things Parents Should Avoid Saying to the Teacher

Of course, parents want to believe their child behaves perfectly at school and many parents think their child is gifted. As a former teacher, I feel like I've heard and seen most everything. But here are statements parents say that can make a dedicated teacher cringe.

Reasons to Read Aloud & Personalized Book Giveaways!

I See Me Personalized Books

Children whose parents read aloud to them become better students. They are stronger readers, have a broader vocabulary, listen better, become better writers, have a better imagination, and have more confidence - all of which leads to a better performance in school. The priceless bonus is that they have bonded with their parents through a love of books.


I'm going to share a personal story with you. When my daughter was three, I was told she was mentally retarded and had autistic tendencies. I just couldn't believe that she wouldn't learn to read - coming from parents who had read thousands of books. I did not have a teaching certificate then - only a strong desire to help her in any way I could. We shared books together every night. I still cherish Big Bird Goes to the Park and taped it numerous times to hold it together because we read it so many times. We looked at ABC books and talked about the letters and made their sounds. We read books of all subjects: Silly books, rhyming books, science books for young children. And as an adult, she now reads at a 5th grade level - higher than many adults. How can this be?

The Facts about Recess and Academics

Recess is being scaled back or eliminated from many elementary schools. Among the reasons are increased pressure for higher academic scores. 

But at what cost? Are scores increasing as recess decreases? 

No. In fact, studies are concluding that physical activity can improve cognitive learning, increase neuron connections, and decrease inappropriate behavior in the classroom, as well as the obvious benefit of improving physical health.

Remember when we had three recesses a day - one in the morning, one after lunch and one in the afternoon? Esther Entin, M.D. states "Since the late 1970's children have lost 12 hours a week in free time, a 25% decrease in play and 50% decrease in unstructured outdoor activities." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's physical activity guidelines recommend that children do an hour or more of moderate-intensity to vigorous activity a day. The Institute of Medicine advises that at least 30 minutes, or about half the daily physical activity, be done during the school day. Yet only about 11 percent of states and 57 percent of districts require elementary schools to provide students with regularly scheduled recess, according to CDC.
 
Research confirms that recess can play an important role in the learning, social development, and health of elementary school children.

How to Nurture a Child's Imagination

Imagination is propelled by a child’s play instinct. It can be enhanced and nurtured by providing opportunities to problem solve, explore, experiment and discover. Creative children view the world as having endless possibilities and adventures. Childhood should be a time of magical play, when a child’s imagination has no limits. Encourage children to explore and experiment, leading them to become the future’s great thinkers.


My grandson really wanted an expensive Star Wars' lightsaber. He asked to work to earn money but still didn't have enough to buy the toy. Nathan loves duck tape. He found some paper towel rolls and taped together a lightsaber, then painted it. He saved money, built his self-esteem, and made his own unique toy.

The ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools: U to Z

U to Z

This is Part 5 in my series of the ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools. Click here for A to E, F to J, K to O and P to T.

The ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools: P - T

P to T

This is Part 4 in my series of the ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools. Click here for A to E, F to J, K to O and U to Z.

The ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools: K - O

K - O

This is Part 3 in my series of the ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools. Click here for A to E, F to J, P to T and U to Z.

The ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools: F - J

F - J

This is Part 2 in my series of the ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools. Click here for A to E, K to O, P to T and U to Z.

The ABCs of Thrifty Teaching Tools: A-E

A - E

You don't need to spend a lot of money to teach children. Young children learn using their five senses and movement. You can make many teaching tools yourself, use inexpensive items that you already have, or find free resources available on the internet. This is a 5 part series of Thrifty Teaching Tools.